BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 14th March 2026: Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, addressing students at the National Law University Tripura, emphasized that the legal profession demands continuous learning, integrity, and resilience. Speaking candidly, he said he felt “more comfortable with young students” and reminded them that lawyers remain “students of law for life.”
National Law University, Tripura organized second Shri Apanshu Mohan Lodh Memorial Public Lecture on “Emerging Frontiers for Law Graduates: Challenges and Opportunities” at the auditorium of Tripura Judicial Academy, Narsingarh, Agartala on Saturday.
Justice Bhuyan highlighted that law is unique among professions because it evolves constantly. “The idea that a lawyer finishes her education on graduation day is a myth. In law, you keep learning while playing the game,” he remarked, adding that “constant learning is the oxygen of professional survival.”
Reflecting on the transformation of legal education since the establishment of India’s first National Law University in 1985, he noted that law has now become a first-choice career for many students. “Unlike our times, today’s generation sees law not as a fallback option but as a preferred vocation,” he said.
The Justice highlighted the diverse opportunities available to law graduates — from litigation and judiciary to academia and corporate practice. Yet, he insisted that advocacy remains unmatched: “There can be no greater satisfaction than convincing the court with persuasive arguments and securing justice for a client.”
Quoting Lord Denning, he reminded students that a lawyer is “not merely a mouthpiece of the client but an officer of the court, owing allegiance to truth and justice.” He cautioned that the profession is demanding: “Law is a jealous mistress. It requires complete loyalty and commitment. There is no shortcut to success.”
Justice Bhuyan also stressed the importance of courtroom craft, patience, and respect for differing views. He urged young lawyers to cultivate the seven virtues of advocacy — honesty, courage, industry, eloquence, patience, judgment, and fellowship. “The strength of an advocate lies not in aggression but in quiet assurance that comes from preparation,” he said.
Turning to constitutional values, he reminded students of their duty to uphold fraternity, equality, and justice. Citing his own judgments, he linked fraternity to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision of national unity. “Our Constitution is a transformative document. It is the bounden duty of lawyers and judges to protect and enrich it,” he declared.
Justice Bhuyan also warned against overreliance on artificial intelligence in legal practice. Recalling a recent incident where fabricated citations were presented in court, he advised: “AI can assist, but it can never replace human judgment. Always cross-verify before relying on technology.”
Concluding his address, he offered encouragement to the students: “Whatever vocation you choose — be it advocacy, judiciary, policy, or politics — I am confident you will succeed. My best wishes to all of you and to the National Law University Tripura, which will continue to shine as a leading centre of legal education.”
Justice Bhuyan was accompanied by retired Justice Arindam Lodh, VC of NLU, Tripura Prof Yogesh Pratap Singh, Managing Director of Tripura Times newspaper Avishikta Lodh, members of Lodh family, faculties, students of NLUT, Tripura Government Law College, ICFAI University and others.
